When I found out she was married, I backed off.
But I’ve heard her husband treats her like shit. My sister-in-law Rosie has suspected him of abusing her and confided in Holden about it.
My brothers and I don’t tolerate men who abuse women. They’re lower than dog shit in my book. Therefore, I don’t feel a shred of remorse when I pull Dallas closer and inhale her addictive scent.
Her husband isn’t here tonight. I am.
And I’m starting to forget that I’m a Southern gentleman with every sway of her body.
My hand slides lower, over the side of her hip. She stiffens, putting a few more inches between our bodies. I start moving back and forth, gently guiding her with my hands and hips.
“It’s two steps to the right, one step back.” I lean down and brush my lips against her hair near her ear.
I’m significantly taller than her at six foot three. She can’t be more than five foot five. She keeps up with me just fine, even when I pick up the pace as we move across the wood floor.
“You’re doing great, darlin’.”
“Stop calling me that.”
“Why? Do you like it too much?”
She sighs, but doesn’t respond.
I don’t know what it is about Dallas that gets to me. She’s gorgeous, of course, but it’s so much more than that.
I do know it’s partly because there’s a sadness behind her green eyes that I feel compelled to eliminate.
“Where are your boys tonight?”
“With Matt,” she says. “Where’re all your girlfriends tonight?”
I chuckle, pulling her an inch closer. Miraculously, she doesn’t resist, and I can finally feel her body heat. She’s still too far away.
“I haven’t been with anyone in quite some time actually. I’ve been busy.”
“Doing what? Flexing shirtless in the mirror?”
I bark out a laugh. “Something like that.”
In truth, this is the first time I’ve been out at the bar in months. I was surprised when I walked in and saw her here. I’ve been busy taking care of my father, who has suffered at the hands of severe alcoholism and early-onset dementia for years now. I’m the last of my four siblings to live at home. But I don’t mind it. Pops needs me, and I’m glad I have the freedom to be there for him.
When I do get a chance to get away, like tonight, he goes over to Holden and Rosie’s house or my best friend, Sam’s, where my sister, Dolly, lives.
“All right, now I’m going to spin you. Just follow my lead.”
My left hand pulls hers out while my right hand gently pushes on her hip. She turns away from me. I guide her into a counter spin, watching her face as she comes back to me. I catch a glimpse of a tiny lift at the corner of her lips. She effortlessly resumes the two-stepping movements with me, a slightly smaller gap between our bodies. Every point of contact feels like a live wire.
“Beautiful. You’re a natural.”
She finally dips her head back and peers up at me. “I told you, I already know how to dance.”
“Who taught you?”
I wouldn’t beat a man’s ass just for dancing with her. That would be irrational. She’s not mine.
But I still wanna know, just in case an opportunity arises later.
“I’ve always loved to dance, but some guy at work has been teaching me more lately.”
